How Your Favorite Athletes Dressed When They Were 23

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Image via Blogspot
Image via Blogspot

No. 10 - David Beckham

Year: 1998
Accomplishments at 23:
Champions League Premier League title
Go-to outfit:
XXXL crewnecks, baggy denim

David Beckham is widely regarded as one of the most stylish men in sports, but it wasn’t always that way. In the late ‘90s, he was right there with the rest of us wearing oversized tops and baggy jeans. But the worst part might be the bleached blonde hair, which looks straight out of an NSYNC video.

Image via Examiner
Image via Examiner

No. 9 - Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Year: 2000
Accomplishments at 23: Super featherweight championship, 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, Golden Glove championship
Go-to outfit:
A cozy sweater, stonewashed jeans, and a gold chain

Floyd wasn’t always the president of the Money Team. Pictured here alongside his father and Mike Tyson, Mayweather Jr. was spotted in an outfit that wouldn’t look out of place today on someone like Kanye West. Stonewashed jeans? Check. A cozy knit? You already know. And a gold piece around the neck? Timeless.

Image via Sports Illustrated
Image via Sports Illustrated

No. 8 - Kevin Garnett

Year: 1999
Accomplishments at 23: NBA All-Star, All-NBA Third Team
Go-to outfit: Matching shirt, hat, and Nike Cortez

KG came into the NBA straight out of high school, and along with guys like Kobe, Jermaine O’Neal, and Tracy McGrady, his youthful energy helped spark a new era in the league. Pictured here with his crew, Garnett was right on time with late ‘90s hip-hop fashions, right down to the bling around his neck.

Image via SI For Kids
Image via SI For Kids

No. 7 - Shaquille O’Neal

Year: 1995
Accomplishments at 23: NBA Rookie of the Year, All-NBA Second Team
Go-to outfit: Anything with his name on it

After his arrival in the NBA, Shaq was quick to make his own lane, getting involved with music, video game, and clothing endorsements. Here, his hoop earrings and Shaq-Fu gear make this photo look like a behind the scenes shot at a ‘90s rap video.

Image via The Big Gig Book
Image via The Big Gig Book

No. 6 - Mike Tyson

Year: 1989
Accomplishments at 23: WBC heavyweight title
Go-to outfit:
Custom denim jacket

Iron Mike has never been one to play by the rules, and his style follows suit. Get a load of this Mount Rushmore, star-encrused washed denim jacket, paired with a checkered button-up and snapback hat. Tyson will undoubtedly wind up on boxing’s Mount Rushmore, but hopefully he won’t wear the jacket next time around.

Image via Getty Images/Streeter Lecka
Image via Getty Images/Streeter Lecka

No. 5 - LeBron James

Year: 2007
Accomplishments at 23:
NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team, NBA Rookie of the Year
Go-to outfit:
Fair Isle Sweater, camel coat, dark indigo jeans

It’s good to be the king, even when you’re a 23 year old on the bench. At this point in his career, LeBron had already accumulated honors that some players only dream of, and was swagged out courtside in a sleek Fair Isle knit you probably wish you could track down today.

Image via NBA
Image via NBA

No. 4 - Kobe Bryant

Year: 2001
Accomplishments at 23:
NBA championship, NBA All-Star
Go-to outfit:
Jeff Hamilton leather jacket

Compared to some of the league’s younger players, Kobe’s current style is pretty subdued. Classic, even. But as a youngster, during his second NBA title win, Bryant went all-out with a customized Jeff Hamilton Lakers leather jacket. We’re all for paying homage, but this is just going too far. Is that a popped collar? On a leather jacket? C'mon, son!

Image via NY Times
Image via NY Times

No. 3 - Derek Jeter

Year: 1997
Accomplishments at 23:
MLB All-Star, World Series champion, AL Rookie of the Year
Go-to outfit: Khaki suit vest and a white tee.

Jeter’s career came to a close earlier this year, but when he was 23, it was just getting started. After winning the AL Rookie of the Year and a World Series ring, it was clear Jeter was going to be a star player for a long time to come. Here, he’s seen cutting a cake at his 23rd birthday, but what is up with that outfit? No matter how old it is, we can’t re2pect this one.

Image via Image Arcade
Image via Image Arcade

No. 2 - Cristiano Ronaldo

Year: 2008
Accomplishments at 23:
FIFA Ballon d’Or, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, Barclays Player of the Year, PFA Fans’ Player of the Year
Go-to outfit: Anything gaudy.

CR7 may very well be the greatest footballer alive, but his style has always left a little something to be desired. From 2002-2009, he was known for taking the Euro Trash look to new heights, and in ’08 he went as far as to open his own boutique, complete with rhinestone encrusted hats and belt buckles that would make Ed Hardy jealous. He was also spotted wearing some of the shortest shorts we’ve ever seen whilst recovering from a hip injury.

Image via Sneaker Freaker
Image via Sneaker Freaker

No. 1 - Michael Jordan

Year: 1986
Accomplishments at 23:
NBA All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year
Go-to outfit: Red Air Jordan track suit

Some things get better with age; fine wine, raw denim, and Tim Duncan, just to name a few. One thing that definitely does not improve over time is Michael Jordan’s sense of style. Seen here in 1986, MJ was looking fresh to death in an all red Air Jordan tracksuit. What makes this especially remarkable is that at the time, he was the only player with his own signature apparel. Of course, now he rocks stuff like this, this, and this. Can it be that it was all so simple then?

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